Welcome to the Flathead National Forest

Evergreen tree-covered foothills and mountains rise in hazy air into the distance behind a long, narrow reservoir with bays. Standing dead trees frame the view in the foreground. In the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, just south of the Canadian border, lies the 2.4-million acre Flathead National Forest. With lakes galore, rugged wilderness, wild rivers, over 2,000 miles of trail, campgrounds, ski areas, and year-round beauty, this forest is a premiere natural landscape of the American West. And it's all yours to discover!

Continuing our Service to You During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Masks are required in all Forest Service buildings and facilities for all non-vaccinated individuals.

Office status: No appointments are necessary during business hours. Supervisor's Office/Tally Lake, Swan Lake, and Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger Districts are open Monday-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. Hungry Horse Ranger District lobby is currently closed to visitors, but they will meet you at the door for service.

Spotted Bear Ranger District is serving customers at the front window 7 days per week, 8 am to 4:30 pm. The lobby will remain closed through 2021.

If you need to meet with a specific person at one of our offices, please call for an appointment.

Quick Links to Your Outdoor Adventures

Explore Our Interactive Fire History Map

Fire plays a natural role in Northwest Montana's fire-adapted ecosystems, helping shape resilient landscapes and preventing future catastrophic wildfires. You can now use our interactive map viewer to explore the wildland fire history for the Northern Region of the Forest Service, including the Flathead National Forest.

3 Forks of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan

Thick forests of evergreen trees surround a blue river. Sharp, glaciated peaks of Glacier National Park rise over the scene in the background. The Flathead National Forest, in coordination with Glacier National Park, has begun the process to prepare a Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) for the 3-Forks of the Flathead River. The river and surrounding lands offer many public recreational opportunities and access to outstanding resources. The CRMP will address the current status of these resources, outline goals and desired conditions, determine user capacities, and create a monitoring strategy and plan to carry forward. Find out more.

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Comments sought on Dayton Project proposed action
Release Date: Jun 14, 2021

Features

Flathead National Forest – 2020 Year in Review

An alpine lake sits below the ridge-top photographer and mountains stretch into the distance.

As it was for other industries and private citizens, 2020 was a year like no other for the Flathead National Forest. Despite significant changes in the ways the Forest conducted business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forest still accomplished significant annual goals set in late 2019. In 2020, the Flathead National Forest continued focused efforts to provide sustainable recreation opportunities for the public, reduce wildland fuels threatening homes and communities, and increase timber harvest opportunities for the local and national economy.

Flathead National Forest – 2019 Year in Review

In 2019, the Flathead National Forest continued focused efforts to provide sustainable recreation opportunities for the public, reduce wildland fuels threatening homes and communities, and increase timber harvest opportunities for the local and national economy.

Spotlights

USDA Civil Rights Policy Statement April 9, 2021

Secretary Vilsack writes that, "At USDA, we are recommitting ourselves to the values of equity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for each other and those we serve."